General Production Worker

Job Description

This role supports the end-to-end production of animal feed at a feed mill processing plant in Iowa City. You help transform raw ingredients into finished, pelletized feed by working across multiple production areas, including hand weighing, mixing and pelletizing, and the control room. You will be cross-trained in all core processes and play a key role in ensuring that feed is accurately measured, properly mixed, safely pelletized, bagged, and prepared for shipment according to strict operating and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Work across the hand weighing, mixer/pelletizing, and control room areas to support the full feed production process.
• Accurately measure and hand weigh raw ingredients according to specific feed formulations.
• Operate mixing equipment to combine measured ingredients into consistent feed mixtures.
• Run pelletizing equipment to produce final animal feed pellets according to product specifications.
• Assist with bagging operations to fill, seal, and prepare individual bags of feed for shipment.
• Monitor the efficiency of the production line to support timely loading and shipment of finished products.
• Cross-train in all main production areas and perform tasks as needed to support team coverage and workflow.
• Work in the control room to help run the plant, partnering with a senior team member for training and guidance.
• Use powered lift equipment and other machinery as required, following all safety and operating procedures.
• Perform all processes in strict accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, including mixing, bagging, spray drying, fluid bed drying, and powered lift equipment operation.
• Communicate clearly with team members and leadership to share information, raise issues, and support continuous process improvement.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance and strong performance to support consistent production and team reliability.
• Keep the worksite clean and organized to reduce hazards from chemicals, fragile products, and machinery.
• Follow all safety guidelines throughout the facility, including the use of required personal protective equipment.
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical or operational issues with equipment and escalate concerns when necessary.
• Perform basic math and follow written and verbal instructions to ensure correct formulations and processes.
• Operate computers and control systems in the control room or demonstrate a willingness to learn computer-based operations.
• Collaborate with coworkers in a cross-trained environment, stepping in to help wherever needed on the production floor.

Essential Skills

• At least 6+ months of experience in an agriculture and/or manufacturing setting.
• Ability to use basic hand tools safely and effectively in a production environment.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working around machinery that may require manual adjustments.
• Basic math skills for measuring, weighing, and calculating feed formulations.
• Ability to learn, understand, and follow detailed instructions and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Strong reliability, including consistent, on-time attendance and dependable performance.
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with coworkers and leadership.
• Willingness and ability to cross-train in multiple production areas, including hand weighing, mixing, pelletizing, and control room operations.
• Capacity to work in a non-climate-controlled, physically demanding environment with machinery and manual processes.
• Willingness to learn computer skills and operate control room systems, especially for 2nd shift responsibilities.
• Comfort operating or learning to operate forklifts, powered lift equipment, and other production machinery.
• Troubleshooting ability for basic machine operation and mechanical issues.
• Ability to adhere strictly to safety guidelines and use required personal protective equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in agriculture, farm work, or feed mill operations is preferred and translates well to this role.
• Experience in other feed operation facilities is highly beneficial and supports quick learning.
• Previous forklift experience is a plus but not required.
• Experience in general production, assembly, machine operation, or construction is advantageous.
• Comfort with computer operation and control room systems is preferred, especially for 2nd shift.
• Ability to work any of the available shifts (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in a production environment.
• Strong attention to detail and qual